From Grand Slam Glory to the ITF Grind: Bianca Andreescu’s Journey Back to the Top
Bianca Andreescu shocked the tennis world in 2019 by winning the U.S. Open. After years of injury setbacks the Canadian star is rebuilding her career on the ITF circuit with her sights set on Grand Slam success once more.
In September 2019 Bianca Andreescu stood victorious on Arthur Ashe Stadium as confetti rained down around her. At just 19 years of age she had defeated the legendary Serena Williams to capture the U.S. Open title and reach the summit of world tennis.
At that historic moment the Canadian teenager could never have predicted it would take more than 2,300 days to lift another singles trophy. She also could not have foreseen that her next triumph would yield a cheque for just $3,000 (£2,200), a fraction of the $3.9 mln (£2.9mln) she pocketed in New York.
Following a phenomenal breakthrough year that included titles at Indian Wells and her hometown of Toronto her career was abruptly derailed. A knee injury halted her momentum in early 2020 before the global pandemic shut down the sport entirely. By the time she returned to competitive action in February 2021 she had been sidelined for 16 months.
Reflecting on her sudden rise Andreescu admits she was ill-equipped for the realities of being a major champion.
«You think you know everything at 19,» she told BBC Sport.
She acknowledged her reluctance to ask for help at the time noting that better guidance might have altered her trajectory.
Her coach Dusan Vemic explained that the young star was forced to mature rapidly to transition from a carefree teenager to a role model for aspiring athletes. However subsequent abdominal and ankle issues combined with an appendectomy that delayed her 2025 season sent her ranking plummeting to 228 earlier this year.
Starting over on the ITF circuit
At the beginning of 2026 Andreescu made the bold decision to drop down to the ITF tour for the first time since 2018. Leaving behind the luxury of the WTA Tour she entered W35 and W75 events where players often fetch their own towels and battle for a total prize pot of around £26,000.
Despite the smaller crowds and lack of line judges Andreescu found the competition fierce. The ITF circuit is packed with young hopefuls trying to break through alongside experienced professionals fighting to rediscover their form.
«The hunger the women had that I was playing against, every match was so difficult,» she noted.
She stressed that the lower tiers are incredibly demanding and praised the athletes who endure the gruelling reality of a tour where expenses are rarely covered. Vemic echoed this sentiment by describing the ITF competitors as deeply driven by their dreams and passion.
While the sport’s elite gathered in Australia earlier this year Andreescu was battling coastal storms and hungry opponents in Bradenton on Florida’s west coast. After several weather delays and a venue switch she secured a hard-fought 6-2 7-5 victory over Vivian Wolff. This marked her first singles title in over six years.
A new perspective off the court
This lower-level success has paid dividends. After her win in Bradenton Andreescu reached a W35 semi-final and secured a W75 title. Playing 14 matches in 16 days proved to the 25-year-old that her body could withstand the intense demands of tournament tennis once again.
Now ranked 137th in the world she is preparing for the qualifying rounds of the French Open at Roland Garros. Vemic, who has previously collaborated with Novak Djokovic, praised her aggressive new playstyle and expressed his desire to help her return to the elite level she deserves.
Beyond her physical recovery Andreescu has reinvented her mental approach. She has diversified her life away from the court by engaging in charity work, writing a children’s book, making music and exploring spirituality. These pursuits help her stay grounded amid the chaos of professional sport.
Previously famous for visualising her U.S. Open victory by creating a mock-up cheque as a teenager she now prioritises mindfulness. She even sets hourly phone alarms reminding her to breathe and remain present in the moment.
While she acknowledges she is no longer the fearless 19-year-old who stunned the world in New York the Canadian remains confident in her abilities. Having conquered the sport once she firmly believes she has what it takes to do it all again.
